But the Bloomberg Politics focus groups of likely Republican
voters — conducted by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann in
Iowa and New Hampshire on Monday — shed some light on the issue.

Asked to explain what Carson's qualifications for the Oval
Office were, the participants cited his intelligence, devout
faith, authenticity, and measured approach to the campaign trail.

"Clearly one of the most intelligent people in the race right
now," one voter said.

"He has everything I'm looking for," said another. "I think he
treats the American people and the other candidates with
respect."

Carson has occasionally stumbled into controversy, such as when
he said a Muslim
shouldn't be president. Critics ripped that comment as
offensive and antithetical to the Constitution's values, but
the focus groups' participants overwhelmingly agreed with Carson
on the issue.